If you know him, you love him. Local musician and Durango School District 9-R teacher Erik Nordstrom is one of those people you gravitate toward, a dude whom you’re glad you met and glad you’ve remained friends with.
As an educator he’s taught hundreds of local students from grades six to 12. He’s a tireless teacher who, on Friday afternoons when most of his colleagues and co-workers would be at a well-deserved happy hour, would still be in his classroom grading tests or working on the next week’s plans.
Most locals, however, know him as a musician. He’s led local country, garage-rock band Lawn Chair Kings for close to 25 years, along with playing lead guitar and being co-vocalist of Farmington Hill for 15.
If you go
WHAT: Regional bands celebrate the songs of Erik Nordstrom.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Mancos Brewing Co., 484 W. Frontage Road, Mancos.
TICKETS: $20 suggested donation, at door.
MORE INFORMATION: email kdur@fortlewis.edu.
His contributions to the local scene go beyond those two bands. He helped get the beloved KDUR Cover Nights off the ground back in 2001, and if you’ve camped near him at a festival, you’ll notice that he’ll be the first one to start up a campground pick and the last one to put his instrument back in its case. He’s a patient source of encouragement for any musician newbies, and a solid source of independent music, turning this writer on to loads of great music of multiple genres. And he’s written so many great songs – a wealth of hooks that will stick eternally in your head.
So when Nordstrom was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in November 2022, facing rounds of chemotherapy, some friends jumped at the chance to help him out. Full disclosure: I’m one of those friends.
A concert was obvious.
“Nordfest” will take place Saturday at the Mancos Brewing Co. in Mancos.
In recognition of Nordstrom being one of the anchors of KDUR Cover Nights, local bands will celebrate him by playing some of the hundreds of song’s he’s written over the years. As Nordstrom wrote on his CaringBridge page, this is not a “disconnected, morbid event” where he and his wife Shanti (a rock-solid gal whose been an anchor of support for Nordstrom as he’s traveled this unfortunate road) wouldn’t be able to participate; it’s a celebration of all Nordstrom has done for the region’s music community, from playing hundreds of shows in bars or at fundraisers to making KDUR Cover Nights the success they are, all while nurturing a scene of all genres. He’s been a music man of action, and this is a thank you for that action.
The response from the musical community has been, not surprisingly, quite vibrant.
“I realized at one point recently that I’ve seen Lawn Chair Kings more times than any other band in my life,” said Matt Kenna, of the band Group Shower. “There was no chance that I wouldn’t participate.”
As a songwriter, he’s as diverse as his record collection, dropping country, weird pop, singer-songwriter and punk tunes, something appealing to all types of musicians.
“I’ve seen him ditch more great songs than I’ll ever write,” said Paul “Bubba” Iudice, Nordstrom’s band mate in Farmington Hill.
Nordstrom may be the most hyped for this event. Doctors’ orders through his chemotherapy have been to remain quarantined, something tough for the social, party-hosting Nordstrom. With his sessions ending two weeks ago, he’s able to once again hang with friends and band mates.
“I’m so thankful for the music community of Southwest Colorado. I’ve made many lifelong friends over the years, and they have all contributed to my well-being,” he said. “This event has given Shanti and I hope as we get out of lockdown.”
Bands performing Saturday include: Snowy Plovers, Farmington Hill and Lawn Chair Kings (Nordstrom will perform with each), along with Dirty Chords, Horizon, Group Shower, Acid Wrench, Nathan Schmidt Band, The Crags and Little Wilderness.
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
